But on Nov. 19, 1983, they never made it that far. Photo-5483914.74377 - Houston Chronicle

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A collision with a line of 41 cars parked on the track claimed four of the men: E.C. Hallmark, 59, C.C. Hutchison, 35, and Joseph R. "Bobby" Sandras, 33, all of Houston; and Glenn A. Stewart, 32, of Pasadena.

A collision with a line of 41 cars parked on the track claimed four of the men: E.C. Hallmark, 59, C.C. Hutchison, 35, and Joseph R. "Bobby" Sandras, 33, all of Houston; and Glenn A. Stewart, 32, of Pasadena.

Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo

A collision with a line of 41 cars parked on the track claimed four... Photo-5483915.74377 - Houston Chronicle

James Auberry, part of the crew that discovered the accident, recalled what happened in the pre-dawn darkness at Mile Post 17 near Sholander Road.

James Auberry, part of the crew that discovered the accident, recalled what happened in the pre-dawn darkness at Mile Post 17 near Sholander Road.

Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo

James Auberry, part of the crew that discovered the accident,... Photo-5483917.74377 - Houston Chronicle

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The train known as 189/190 slammed into the cars, Auberry said, and four men died when the caboose, which was right behind the engine, and a tank car behind the caboose "accordioned" into the engine.

The train known as 189/190 slammed into the cars, Auberry said, and four men died when the caboose, which was right behind the engine, and a tank car behind the caboose "accordioned" into the engine.

Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo

The train known as 189/190 slammed into the cars, Auberry said, and... Photo-5483918.74377 - Houston Chronicle

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There was no way they could have seen the black tank cars stopped in darkness that was deepened by a dense tree canopy, Auberry said.

There was no way they could have seen the black tank cars stopped in darkness that was deepened by a dense tree canopy, Auberry said.

Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo

There was no way they could have seen the black tank cars stopped... Photo-5483919.74377 - Houston Chronicle

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When Auberry and his coworkers came upon the scene about 7:30 a.m. in another train, they didn't immediately notice anything wrong because a line of intact cars separated them from the accident site.

When Auberry and his coworkers came upon the scene about 7:30 a.m. in another train, they didn't immediately notice anything wrong because a line of intact cars separated them from the accident site.

Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo

When Auberry and his coworkers came upon the scene about 7:30 a.m.... Photo-5483920.74377 - Houston Chronicle

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They moved about 35 of the 41 cars and then noticed the derailed caboose and engine.

They moved about 35 of the 41 cars and then noticed the derailed caboose and engine.

Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo

They moved about 35 of the 41 cars and then noticed the derailed... Photo-5483921.74377 - Houston Chronicle

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Unable to reach the first crew on the radio, Auberry and his group went ahead with moving some cars to another track.

Unable to reach the first crew on the radio, Auberry and his group went ahead with moving some cars to another track.

Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo

Unable to reach the first crew on the radio, Auberry and his group... Photo-5483922.74377 - Houston Chronicle

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They came upon two of the men right away but it would be hours before they found the last body, he said. Because of the remote location, Aubrey said his train crew delivered "jaws of life" equipment and some nurses to the scene by rail. less

They came upon two of the men right away but it would be hours before they found the last body, he said. Because of the remote location, Aubrey said his train crew delivered "jaws of life" equipment and some ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo

They came upon two of the men right away but it would be hours... Photo-5483924.74377 - Houston Chronicle

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Auberry said he'd known all the men at least 10 years when the wreck happened. "A lot of times we didn't even know each other's names," he said. "It was initials and nicknames."

Auberry said he'd known all the men at least 10 years when the wreck happened. "A lot of times we didn't even know each other's names," he said. "It was initials and nicknames."

Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo

Auberry said he'd known all the men at least 10 years when the... Photo-5483925.74377 - Houston Chronicle

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In the case of Stewart, Auberry said his family called him Bobby, but on the railroad, he was known as "Smoky."

In the case of Stewart, Auberry said his family called him Bobby, but on the railroad, he was known as "Smoky."

Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo

In the case of Stewart, Auberry said his family called him Bobby,... Photo-5483926.74377 - Houston Chronicle

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"There were a lot of brave men that built this country," Auberry said. "The railroad tied it all together."

"There were a lot of brave men that built this country," Auberry said. "The railroad tied it all together."

Photo: Houston Chronicle File Photo

"There were a lot of brave men that built this country,"... Photo-5483927.74377 - Houston Chronicle